Seaming machine



\ A. G. HOPKINS SEAMING MACHINE Jan. 29, 1935-.

Filed July 25, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR' ArH'lur 6. HopkinsATTORNEYS Jan. 29, 1935. A. e. HOPKINS 1,

SEAMING MACHINE Filed July 25, 1933 4 Shetg-Sheet 3 INVENTOR ATTORNEYSJan. 29, 1935. A. a. HOPKINS 1,989,513

SEAMING MACHINE Filed July 25, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR Arrhur G.Ho kms Patented Jan. 29, 1935 UNITED STATES SEAMIN G MACHINE Arthur G.Hopkins, Maspeth, N. Y., assignor to Metal Package Corporation, NewYork, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application July'25, 1933, SerialNo. 682,069

32 Claims.

This invention relates to seaming machines for metal cans, and moreparticularly to a highspeed can seaming machine of the turret type.

The object of the present invention is to generally improve seamingmachines for closing and seaming metal cans and the like. Moreparticular objects reside in the provision of an improved can seamingmachine of the turret type which will be compact yet sturdy, all of thegears being relatively large and having ample tooth surface despite thecompactness of the machine as a whole; which will be simple, havingaccessible parts, bearings of ample size, and utilizing nothing but spurgearing substantially throughout its mechanism, in contrast with themuch more expensive helical, worm or bevel gearing frequently employed;which will operate at high speeds not only by reason of the multiplex orturret construction, but in actual rotative speed, this being madepossible by perfect inherent balance of the rotating parts; and whichwill be adapted for efficient lubrication, most of the higher speedgearing being fully enclosed.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and such other objects as willhereinafter appear, my invention consists in the seaming machineelements and their relation one to another, as hereinafter are moreparticularly described in the specification and sought to be defined inthe claims. The specification is accompanied by drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a section taken in elevation through a preferred form ofmachine embodying features of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section taken in plan on the line 2-2 in Fig. 1, and showsthe main planetary gear system;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section taken in the planeof the line 3-3 in Fig.1;

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section taken in the plane of the line 4--4 inFig. 1;

Fig. 5 is an inverted plan view of the seaming head;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the seaming head, taken in theplane of the line 6-6 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a section in elevation through one of the seaming roller arms,it being taken in the plane of the line 7-7 in Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section taken in the plane of the line 8-8 inFig. 1 and showing portions of the feed and delivery mechanisms;

Fig. 9 is a detail taken in section in the of the line 99 in Fig. 7; and

Fig. 10 is a partially sectioned inverted plan view of the seamingroller plate.

plane Referring to the drawings, the seaming machine comprises astationary frame F carrying a rotatable turret T provided with aplurality of can seaming stations S, each of said stationsincluding anelevatable can table C and a seaming head H provided with seamingrollers R. The cans are supplied to the rotating turret T at a feed orloading station L (Fig. 8) and are delivered from the turret after thecan top has been seamed to the can body at a delivery station D. Betweenthe 10 loading and delivery stations the can is held against rotation inthe conventional manner while the seaming rollers rotate rapidly aboutthe can, the first and second-operation seaming rollers beingsuccessively brought into engagement with the can and removed therefromwhile the seaming head rotates relatively rapidly over the can. Theentire machine is preferably driven from a single drive or propellingshaft P (Fig. 1).

It thus becomes necessary to appropriately interconnect the parts of themachine so that rotation of driving shaft P will cause rotation ofthe-turret, rotation of the seaming head, and movement of the seamingrollers. In accordance with the present invention the various objectsheretofore set forth are fulfilled by the use of planetary or epicyclicgear system throughout the machine, although it will be understood thatthe invention may be partially practiced by the use of some only of theplanetary gear systems. More specifically, I employ a main epicyclic orplanetary gear system lying approximately in the plane of the line 2-2of Fig. 1 and best shown in Fig. 2, for rotating the turret and forproviding a source of power at each of the seaming stations for drivingits seaming head, and auxiliary planetary gear systems lyingapproximately in the planes of the line 3--3 or 4-4 of Fig. 1 and bestshown in Figs. 3 and 4 of the drawings, for rotating the seaming rollersand for controlling the movement thereof toward and from the can. Thepresent invention further comprehends a simplified seaming headproviding pairs of diametrically opposed first and second-operationseaming rollers and controlling -the movement of all of said rollers bya single relatively simple cam, this simplified seaming head beingclearly shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings.

Considering the apparatus in greater detail, 9 the frame F includes abase the top plate of which is shown at 12 and on which there arerigidly mounted pedestals or standards 14 which may, if desired, beinterconnected to form a continuous housing extending around the machinebut clearing the loading and delivery stations, and on top of whichthere is mounted a head 16. Head 16 is provided with bearings 18 and 20carrying the preferably horizontal drive or propelling shaft P. Thelatter is externally driven through appropriate means, such as the belt22 running on pulley 24 and forming the driving portion of a clutch 26which may be engaged by manipulation of lever 28, thereby rotating thedrive shaft. An appropriate hand wheel 30 may be provided on the driveshaft, permitting manual movement of the machine when adjusting orworking on the same. 9

The inner end of drive shaft P carries a bevel pinion 32 meshing with abevel gear 34 mounted at the upper extremity of a vertical drive shaft36 which extends downwardly through the center of turret T but which isrotatable independently of the turret.

The turret T is rotatable about the axis of vertical shaft 36 and isborne partially independently of and partially on the said shaft 36.Specifically, the turret is carried at its lower end by a taper bearing38 which takes the weight or downward thrust of the turret as well asany side thrust. The upper end of the turret is provideo. with a rollerbearing 40 surrounding shaft 36, and the latter is in turn supported inhead 16 of frame F by an appropriate taper bearing 42. The turret isrotated by a system of epicyclic or planetary gearing best shown inFigs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. This system includes a sun gear 50 keyedat 52 to the vertical shaft 36, a

fixed internally toothed ring gear 54 secured by appropriate bolts 56 tothe head 16 of the machine frame, and a plurality of planet gears 60rotatably'mounted on turret T. It will be evident that upon rotation ofvertical shaft 36, the resulting rotation of sun gear 50 will cause theplanet gears 60 to rotate on their axes and to revolve about shaft 36.The latter revolution of the planet gears about the sun gear is takenadvantage of to rotate the turret, while the rotation of each of theplanet gears may be employed as a source of power to drive the seaminghead at each station. For this reason I prefer to provide as many planetgears, in this case three, as there are seaming stations, and to locateeach planet gear at its corresponding seaming station.

The rotation of the planet gear may be stepped up and applied to itsseaming head in any desired manner, but I prefer to accomplish thesoughtfor result by the further use of epicyclic or planetary gearsystems, as will next be described. Referring to Fig. 1, the planet gear60-is secured to a sleeve or hollow shaft 62 borne in a bearing housing64 on turret T by taper bearings 66 and rigidly secured to or, morepreferably formed integrally with a train arm plate 68 carrying one ormore planet gears 70 meshing with an internally toothed fixed ring gear72 and a rotatable sun gear 74. The relation of planet gears 70, fixedgear 72, and sun gear 74, as well as the manner in which fixed gear 72is locked in turret T by bolts 76, will be evident from an inspection ofFig. 3. It will also be noted, particularly by reference to Figs. 1, 2,3, and 4 that the turret T at this point has a clover leaf formation,providing three separate and fully enclosed housings 78 for theplanetary gear system now being described.

Reverting to Fig. 1 and referring at the same time to Fig.6, the sungear 74 is secured to the upper end of a sleeve or hollow shaft 80 whichextends downwardly to the seaming head H and which rigidly carries, asby being formed integrally therewith, a seaming roller plate 82 which inturn carries the seaming rollers B. On reflection, it will be evidentthat during the rotation of the turret the concomitant rotation of theplanet gear 60 of the main epicyclic system causes rotation of the trainarm plate 68 and revolves the planet gears 70. These, being in mesh withfixed gear '72, are caused to rotate and in'turu produce a relativelyrapid or stepped-up rotation of sun gear 74, which in turn rotates theseaming roller plate 82 and thus causes the seaming rollers R to runrapidly around the can being seamed.

In order to move the seaming rollers R toward and from the can, theseaming head is provided with a cam which, for simplicity, is rotatedwith the seaming rollers but at a slightly different speed in order toproduce slow relative rotation of the seaming rollers and the cam, whichrelative rotation is advantageously employed to obtain the desiredcamming action. For this purpose I find it particularly convenient toemploy still another planetary gear system quite similar to that lastdescribed but differing slightly therefrom in gear ratio. Referring toFigs. 1, 4 and 6, the train arm plate 68 is provided with three bosses84 conveniently located between planet gears '70, as is best shown inFig. 3, and each carrying a planet gear 86. The planet gears 86 meshwith a fixed internally toothed ring gear 88 and arotatable sun gear 90.Ring gear 88 is secured to the turret compartment 78, as bybeing rivetedby rivets 92 to ring gear 72. Sun gear is se- ,relative rotation of thedepending sleeves 80 and 94, which is then employed in the seaming headH, as will next be described.

seaming head H is best described with reference to Figs. 5 through 10,referring to which, the head comprises not only the seaming roller plate82 carrying the seaming rollers R as already mentioned, but also a camwhich moves the seaming rollers toward or from the can being a seamed.In the present case there are four seaming rollers 102,104, 106, and108, of which two preferably diametrically opposed rollers, in this casethe rollers 104 and 108, are first-operation seaming rollers, while theother two preferably diametrically opposed rollers, in this case rollers102 and 106, are second-operation seaming rollers. The seaming rollersare all carried on seaming roller arms 112, 114, 116, and 118 which arepivotally secured to seaming roller plate 82 by hearing pins 120. Theseaming roller arms carry at their opposite'ends appropriate camfollowers 122, 124, 126, and 128 which ride in a single continuous camgroove 130 out in the lower face of cam 100. The cam groove or channel130 is preferably made of constant width, thereby providing positivemovement of the seaming rollers in both directions. When the'cam grooveis of small radius the seaming rollers are moved outwardly or away fromthe can, whereas whenthe cam groove is of large radius the seamingrollers are moved inwardly or into engagement with the can. It will beevident from an inspection of Fig. 5 of the drawings that the first andsecond-operation seaming rollers are moved successively into and out ofengagement with the can; that both firstoperation rollers are movedinwardly and outwardly simultaneously; that both second-operationrollers are moved inwardly and outwardly simultaneously; that at oneperiod all of the rollers are moved outwardly, thus permitting theintroduction of a new can to be seamed or the removal of an alreadyseamed can; and that the entire seaming operation takes place in thecourse of about a half revolution of the cam relative to the seamingroller plate. Accordingly, with this particularconstruction of seaminghead, the difference in gear ratio of the two planetary systems inturret compartment '78 should preferably produce a half rotation of thecam relative to the seaming roller plate during the seaming operation.

Considering some of the details of the seaming head, it will be observedfrom inspection of Fig. '7 that the seaming roller am 112 is preferablymounted on hearing pin 120 through intermediate ball bearings 132, andthat the pin 120. which is preferably screwed into bearing plate 82, maybe locked by a lock bolt 134.

This construction is best shown in Fig. 10, in which it will be notedthat pin 120 may jammed against rotation by lock bolt 134 upontightening of the nut 136. Reverting to Fig. '7, it wil be noted thatcam follower 122 is carried on ball bearings 138 held by a bearing pin140 threaded into lever 112 and there locked by set screw 142.

The seaming roller R is adjustable by eccentric mechanism best shown inFigs. '7 and 9. The seaming roller is rotatable on a bearing bolt 144having eccentrically related portions 146 and 148. The portion 146carries the seaming roller, preferably through intermediate ballbearings not shown in the drawings, while the portion 148 is received ina mating hole in the seaming roller arm. It will be evident that becauseof the eccentric relation of the portions 146 and 148 of the bearingbolt, rotation of the bolt causes'a slight movement of the seamingroller relative to the seaming roller arm and thus permits adjustment ofthe seaming roller pressure. The bearing bolt may be locked not only bytightening the nut 150 but more positively by the cooperation ofserrations or teeth 152 formed at the upper end of the portion 148 ofthe bolt against which a clamping piece 154 having mating serrations orteeth may be forced by a lock screw 156.

The remainder of the machine may, if desired, be relativelyconventional; but, for the sake of completeness, the preferredconstruction here employed will be described. Reverting to Fig. 1, thecan is carried on a can table C the elevation of which may be adjustedto accommodate different heights of can by moving the same relative tostud 160, the adjustment being locked by a clamp bolt 162. Stud 160 iscarried by vertically reciprocable cylinder 164 preferably lockedagainst rotation by a key 166 and carrying at its lower end a camfollower 168 which rolls on a circular cam track or ring 1'70 fixedlymounted on the base of the machine. The cylinder 164 is carried in anoutwardly flaring base portion 172 of turret T. It will thus be evidentthat the can tables 0 are carried around with the turret and areelevated to clamp the can or lowered to release the can at appropriatelytimedintervals determined by the rise and fall of cam track or ring 170.

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the can with itssuperposed cover are moved upwardly by the can table against a matingchuck 1'74 which is located at the seaming head but which does notrotate therewith, it instead remaining stationary with the can and infact having the can cover compressed tightly against its peripheryduring the seaming operation. The chuck 1'74 is mounted at the lower endof a tubular member 1'76 which passes axially through the gear mechanismof the seaming station, and the upper end of which is threaded andanchored by nuts 1'78 on one arm of a spider plate 180 which in turn isfreely rotatable about the huboLthe main sun gear 50. The spider plate180 rotates with and in effect forms a part of the turret T, although itis not rigidly secured thereto, and it forms a means, through adjustmentof nuts 178,

.of determining the elevation of chuck 1'76 and of supporting the chuckin position.

To insure freeing of the seamed can from the chuck at the end of theseaming operation, the machine ispreferably provided with a knockout barthe upper end of which is clearly shown at 182 and which passesdownwardly through the tubular member 1'76 to the chuck 174. Theknockout rod is normally held in elevated position by a spring 184. Thehead of the knockout rod acts as a cam follower riding in contact with atop cam track or ring 186 secured to the interior of head 16 of themachine. It will be evident thatat an appropriate point the cam track186 may be depressed, thereby forcing the knockout rod downwardly andcausing the bottom endthereof to strike the top of the seamed can and toforcibly separate it from the chuck.

The turret T is provided at an intermediate point with a tray-like guardmember 190 provided at each of the seaming stations with a pocket 192for receiving and helping to support the can body. The tray 190 as wellas the pockets 192 are further shown in Fig. 8, and, referring to thatfigure, portions of the loading mechanism L and delivery mechanism D arealso shown. These will not be described in detail for they are morefully disclosed in my copending divisional application Serial No.682,070 filed concurrently herewith. However, it may be briefly statedthat a feed turret 194 is employed, preferably equal in diameter androtative speed to the seaming machine turret T and provided with anequal number of can pockets 196. The pockets 192 and 196 move insynchronism and provide a transfer of the can body from turret 194 toturret T in a smooth manner permitting high-speed operation. The feedmechanism may further include a guide bar 198 which is effective untilthe can is clamped in the seaming machine turret by elevation of the cantable. In accordance with an important feature of the inventiondescribed in my aforesaid copending application, the can cover 200 isapplied to the c'an before the can is de-- a suitable guide rail 208.The feed and delivery turrets 194 and 204 may be driven throughappropriate gearing from the vertical drive shaft 36, and it is for thisreason that the lower end of the shaft is extended downwardly in themanner shown in Fig. 1.

While the can feed mechanism may be and preferably is provided withappropriate mechanism for insuring that each can is provided with acover and that no cover is provided unless there is a can to be topped,I prefer to add to the present machine additional safety stops bestshown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the drawings. Referring to these figures, theseaming roller plate 82 carries a pair of depending stop members 210each having a stop flange 212 appropriately dimensioned and positionedto engage the top of a can even should the can reach the machine withouta cover and then be elevated by the can table. This prevents the chuckfrom even slightly entering the can and thus becoming soiled by the cancontents. The safety stops 210 are secured to plate 82 by bolts 214 andare additionally held in position by tongues 216 which enter matingrecesses 218 in the seaming roller plate 82, the said recesses 218 beingbest shown in Fig. of the drawings.

One of the features of the present invention resides in the conveniencewith which the drive,.

as through the belt 22, maybe accommodated to differences in thepreferred mounting of the machine.- Thus, reverting to Fig. 1 it will benoted that the head 16 of the frame F carries a top casting 220 by whichthe horizontal drive shaft P is supported. This top casting is receivedon the head by acircular flange 221 concentric with the vertical shaft36 so that the topcasting 220 may be rotated on the head. If desired, anadditional support 222 may be provided, and in such' case the support222 is, of course, moved with the top casting and in effect forms a partthereof. It will thus be seen that the direction of the drive shaft Pmay be altered as desired relative to the frame F, which is convenient,for the position of the frame F is frequently determined by necessary orpreferred location of the loading and delivery stations.

In a particular case the gear ratios of the several epicyclic systemswere so selected that several revolutions of the vertical drive shaft 36produced a single revolution of the turret, which in turn wasaccompanied by a larger number, say, sixteen revolutions of the seamingrollers. The difference in gear ratio between the planetary systems forthe seaming roller head and the cam was so selected as to producesixteen and one-half revolutions of the cam during sixteen revolutionsof the seaming rollers, or one-half revolution of one relative to theother, during one revolution of the turret.

This half revolution need not be and preferably is not fully employedfor active operation of the seaming rollers. It will be evident that aportion only of the full revolution of the turret is available for theseaming operation, first, because of the necessary spacing between theloading station L and the delivery station D (see Fig. 8), and secondly,because of a necessary period after loading to permit the can table torise and clamp the can in position, and a period before delivery topermit lowering of the can table and actuation of the knockout rod tofree the can from the chuck. The small radius portions of the cam extendperipherally for .a greater distance than the large radius portions ofthe cam, thereby providing a substantial dwell period in which all ofthe seaming rollers are moved outwardly and are free of the can.

Of course, ample time for operation of the seaming rollers is availablefor the reason that the first-operation rollers need not be moved fullyaway from the can before the second-operation rollers begin to moveinwardly. The roller or cam seam during the departure of thefirst-operation roller.

It is believed that the mode of constructing and using, as well as themanyadvantages of my improved seaming machine, will be apparent from theforegoing detailed description thereof. The machine is compact, sturdy,and simple. Except for one pair of bevel gears the gearing throughout issimple spur gearing which is the cheapest to manufacture and thestrongest in use. While the machine is compact, ample room is providedfor gears of generous tooth area and large bear.- ings which, for themost part, are taper, roller, or ball bearings. The machine isparticularly adapted for high-speed operation because the planetary geararrangement here employed inherently provides a perfect balance of allrotating parts about their axes of rotation. The planetary geararrangement further balances the gear thrusts and eliminates wear andvibration. The high-speed parts of the gearing are fully enclosed andmay be run in a bath of oil carried, for example, in the compartments 78of the turret. The usual functions and necessary adjustments for thevarious parts of the machine are all provided for in an effective andaccessible manner. The seaming head is itself extremely simple, sturdy,and fool-proof in operation.

It will be apparent that while I have shown and described my inventionin preferred form, many changes and modifications may be made in thestructure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention,defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A seaming machine comprising a stationary frame, a rotatable turret,seaming mechanism. carried by the turret, and a planetary gear systemincluding a sun gear, a ring gear, and a planet gear meshing with saidsun gear and ring gear and rotatably mounted on said turret, and meansoperatively connecting the planet gear with the seaming mechanism.

2. A seaming machine comprising a stationary frame, a rotatable turret,seaming mechanism, carried by the turret, and a planetary gear systemincluding an externally driven sun gear, a ring gear fixed on saidframe. and a planet gear meshing with said sun gear and fixed gear androtatably mounted on said turret, and means operatively connecting theplanet gear with the seaming mechanism, whereby revolution of the planetgear about the sun gear causes rotation of the turret, and rotation ofthe planet gear drives the seaming mechanism.

3. A seaming machine comprising a stationary frame, a rotatable turret,a plurality of seaming stations, carried by the turret and a planetarygear system including an externally driven sun gear rotatableconcentrically with the turret, a ring gear fixed on said frame, and aplurality of plane; gears meshing with said sun gear and fixed gear androtatably mounted on said turret at each of the seaming stations,seaming mechanism at each of the stations, and means operativelyconnecting the planet gear at each station with the seaming mechanism ofthat station, whereby revolution 0! the planet gears about the sun gearcauses rotation of the turret, and rotation of each planet gear drivesits connected seaming mechanism.

. 4. A seaming station comprising means to support a can, a rotatableseaming head including a seaming roller support with seaming rollers andmeans for moving said seaming rollers toward and from the can, meansdriving said seaming roller support including a planetary gear systemhaving a fixed ring gear, a rotatable and revoluble planet gear, and arotatable sun gear connected to the seaming roller support,andexternally driven means for revolving the planet gear about the axisof the sun gear.

5. A seaming station comprising means to support a can to be seamed, arotatable seaming head including a rotatable seaming roller supportcarrying seaming rollers, and a rotatable cam for moving said seamingrollers toward and from the can, means for driving said seaming head including two planetary gear systems having ring gears, planet gears, andsun gears, a driven gear of one of said systems being connected to theseaming roller support, and a driven gear of the other of said systemsbeing connected to the cam, and a single means for simultaneouslyrotating the driving gears of both gear systems, the gear ratios of thetwo systems being slightly diiferent in order to provide a slow relativerotation of the seaming roller plate and cam concomitant with rapidrotation of the seaming head.

6. A seaming station comprising means to support a can to be seamed, arotatable seaming head including a rotatable seaming roller platecarrying seaming rollers, and a rotatable cam for moving said seamingrollers toward and from the can, means for driving said seaming headincluding two planetary gear systems each having fixed ring gears,rotatable revoluble planet gears and rotatable sun gears, the sun gearof one of said systems being connected to the seaming roller plate, andthe sun gear of the other of said systems being connected to the cam,and externally driven means for simultaneously revolving the planetgears of both gear systems, the gear ratios of the two systems beingslightly different in order to provide a slow relative rotation of theseaming roller plate and camconcomitant with rapid rotation of theseaming head.

'1. A seaming station comprising means to support a can to be seamed, aseaming head including a rotatable seaming roller plate carrying fouroscillatable seaming roller arms, alternate arms having first-operationseaming rollers and the intermediate arms having second operationseaming rollers, a rotatable cam having a single cam groove receivingcam followers mounted on all four seaming roller arms, the cam groovebeing symmetrical and so designed as to move the first andsecond-operation seaming rollers successively into and out of engagementwith the can in the course of a part revolution of the seaming rollerplate relative to the cam, and driving means to rotate the seamingroller plate and the cam at diiferent relatively high speeds differingonly sufliciently to provide the desired part relative rotation in thecourse of a seaming operation.

8. A seaming station comprising means to support a can, a seaming headincluding a rotatable seaming roller plate carrying a plurality ormovable seaming roller supports, some supports having first-operationseaming rollers and other supports having second-operation seamingrollers, a rotatable cam having a single cam groove receiving camfollowers mounted on the seaming rollers supports, and means for drivingsaid seaming head including two planetary gear systems each having ringgears, planet gears, and sun gears, a driven gear of one of said systemsbeing connected to the seaming roller plate, and ation seaming rollersand other arms having second-operation seaming rollers, a rotatable camhaving a single cam groove receiving cam followers mounted on theseaming roller arms, the cam groove being so designed as to move thefirst and second-operation seaming rollers successively into and out ofengagement with the can, and means for driving said seaming headincluding two planetary gear systems each having fixed ring gears,rotatable planet gears and rotatable sun gears, the sun gear of one ofsaid systems being connected to the seaming roller plate, the sun gearof the other of said systems being connected to the cam, and externallydriven means for simultaneously rotating the planet gears of both gearsystems, the gear ratios of the two systems being slightly different inorder to provide slow relative rotation of the seaming roller plate andcam.

10. A seaming station comprising means to support a can to be seamed, aseaming head including a rotatable seaming roller plate carrying fouroscillatable seaming roller arms, two diametrically opposed arms havingfirst-operation seaming rollers, and the intermediate two diametricallyopposed arms having second-operation seaming rollers, a rotatable facecam having a single cam groove receiving cam followers mounted on allfour seaming roller arms, the cam groove being symmetrical and sodesigned as to move the first and second-operation seaming rollerssuccessively into and out of engagement with the can in the course of apart revolution of the seaming roller plate relative to the cam, andmeans for driving said seaming head including two planetary gear systemseach having fixed ring gears, rotatable planet gears and rotatable sungears, the sun gear of one of said systems being connected to theseaming roller plate, and the sun gear of the other of said systemsbeing connected to the cam, and externally driven means forsimultaneously rotating the planet gears of both gear systems, the, gearratios of the two systems being slightly different in order to providethe desired part relative rotation of the seaming roller plate and camin the course of the seaming operation.

11. A seaming machine comprisinga stationary frame, a rotatable turretcarrying a seaming station, and a main planetary gear system including asun gear, a ring gear, a planet gear meshing with said sun gear and ringgear and rotatable on said turret, the seaming station including meansto support a can to be seamed, a roroller support carrying seamingrollers and means for moving said seaming rollers toward andfrom thecan, means for driving said seaming roller support including a planetarygear system having a fixed ring gear, a rotatable planet gear, and arotatable sun gear, the sun gear being connected to the seaming rollersupport, and means operatively connecting the planet gear to the planetgear of the main planetary gear system.

12. A seaming machine comprising a stationary frame, a rotatable turretcarrying a seaming station, and a main planetary gear system includingan externally driven sun gear, a ring gear fixed on said frame, a.planet gear meshing with said sun gear and fixed gear and rotatable onsaid turret, said seaming station including means to support a can, arotatable seaming head havingErotatable seaming roller support carryingseaming rollers and a rotatable cam for moving said seaming rollerstoward and from the can, and means for driving said seaming headincluding two planetary gear systems having ring gears, planet gears,and sun gears, a driven gear of one of said systems being connected tothe seaming roller support, a driven gear of the other of said systemsbeing connected to the cam, and means operatively connecting the drivinggears of both of said systems to the planet gear of the main planetarygear system. o

13. A seaming machine comprising a stationary frame, a rotatable turretcarrying a plurality of seaming stations, a main planetary gear systemincluding an externally driven sun gear rotatable concentrically withthe turret, a ring gear fixed on said frame, a plurality of planet gearsmeshing with said sun gear and fixed gear and rotatable on said turretat each of the seaming stations, each seaming station including means tosupport a can, a rotatable seaming head having a rotatable seamingroller plate carrying seaming rollers and a rotatable cam for movingsaid seaming rollers toward and from the can, and means for driving saidseaming head including two planetary gear systems each having fixed ringgears, rotatable planet gears and rotatable sun gears, the sun gear ofone of said systems beingconnected to the seaming roller plate, the sungear of the other of said systems being connected to the cam, and meansoperatively connecting the planet gears of both of said systems to aplanet gear of the main planetary gear system.

14. A seaming machine comprising a stationary frame, a rotatable turretcarrying a seaming station, and a main planetary gear system including asun gear, a ring gear, and a planet gear meshing with said sun gear andring gear and rotatable on said turret, said seaming station having aseaming head including a rotatable seaming roller plate carrying firstand secondoperation seaming rollers, a rotatable cam having a single camgroove receiving cam followers for the seaming rollers, means fordriving said seaming head including planetary gear systems of slightlydifferent gear ratio connected on one side to the seaming roller plateand tothe cam, and both of said systems being connected on the otherside to the planet gear of the main planetary gear system.

15. A seaming machine comprising a stationary frame, a rotatable turretcarrying a plurality of seaming stations, and a main planetary gearsystem including an externally driven sun gear, a ring gear fixed onsaid frame, a plurality of planet gears meshing with said sun gear andfixed gearrandrotatable on said turret at each of the seaming stations,each can seaming-station having a seaming head including a rotatableseaming roller plate carrying oscillatable seaming roller arms, somearms having first-operation seaming rollers, and other arms havingsecond-operation seaming rollers, a rotatable face cam having a singlecam groove receiving cam followers mounted on the seaming roller arms,means for driving said seaming head including two planetary gear systemsof slightly difierent gear ratio, the driven gear of one of said systemsbeing connected to the seaming roller plate, and the driven gear of theother of said systems being connected to the cam, and means operativelyconnecting the driving gears of both of said systems to a planet gear ofthe main planetary gear system.

16. A seaming machine comprising a stationary frame, a rotatable turretcarrying a plurality of seaming stations, and a main planetary gearsystem including an externally driven sun gear rotatable concentricallywith the turret, a ring gear fixed on said frame, a plurality of planetgears meshing with said sun gear and fixed gear and rotatable on saidturret at each of the seaming stations, each can seaming station havinga seaming head including a rotatable seaming roller plate carrying fouroscillatable seaming roller arms, alternate arms having first-operationseaming rollers, and the intermediate arms having second-operationseaming rollers, a rotatable cam having a single cam groove receivingcam followers mounted on all four seaming roller arms, the cam groovebeing so designed as to move the first and .second-operation seamingrollers successively into and out of engagement with the can in thecourse of a part revolution of the seaming roller plate relative to thecam, means for driving said seaming head including two planetary gearsystems each having fixed ring gears,

rotatable planet gears and rotatable sun gears,

the sun gear of one of said systems being connected to the seamingroller plate, and the sun gear of the other of said systems beingconnected to the cam, and means operatively connecting the planet gearsof both of said systems to a planet gear of the main planetary gearsystem, the gear ratios of the said two systems being slightly differentin order to provide the desired part relative revolution of the seamingroller plate and cam during the seaming operation.

17. A seaming machine comprising a stationary frame, a turret rotatablymounted therein .and carrying seaming mechanism, a vertical drive shaftconcentric with said turret, and planetary gear mechanisminterconnecting the shaft and turret for rotating the turret.

18. A seaming machine comprising a stationary framehaving a top casting,a rotatable turret carrying a plurality of seaming stations, a planetarygear system including a sun gear mounted on a vertical shaft androtatable concentrically with the turret, a ring gear fixed on theframe, and a plurality of planet gears meshing with said sun gear andfixed gear and rotatably mounted on said turret at each of the seamingstations, seaming mechanism at each of the stations, and meansoperatively connecting the planet gear of each station with the seamingmechanism of that station, a driving shaft mounted on the aforesaid topcasting and geared to the vertical sun gear shaft, said top castingbeing rotatably adjustable on the frame about the axis of the turret,whereby the driving shaft may be directed as desired relative to theframe without affecting the gear system.

19. A seaming head comprising a seaming roller plate, seaming rollersmounted thereon, mechanism for moving said seaming rollers into and outof engagement with a can, a chuck, and stop means mounted on saidseaming roller plate to limit the permissible upward movement of a caninto the seaming head regardless ofwhether or not the can is providedwith a cover.

20. A seaming station comprising means to support a can to be seamed, aseaming head including a rotatable seaming roller plate carrying movableseaming roller supports, some supports having first-operation seamingrollers and other supports having second-operation seaming rollers, arotatable face cam having a single cam groove receiving cam followersmounted on the seaming roller supports, driving means to rotate theseaming roller plate and the cam at slightly different speeds, a chuck,and stop means mounted on the seaming roller plate to limit thepermissible upward movement of a can on the support regardless ofwhether or not the can is provided with a cover.

21. A seaming machine comprising a stationary frame, a rotatable turret,seaming mechanism carried by the turret,- a planetary gear systeminterconnecting the frame and the turret and operative for rotating theturret, and mechanism carried by the turret and interconnecting the saidplanetary gear system with the seaming mechanism for operating theseaming mechanism.

22. A seaming machine comprising a stationary frame, a rotatable turret,a main drive shaft,

seaming mechanism carried by the turret, a planetary gear systeminterconnecting the frame, the turret and said main drive shaft andoperative upon rotation of said shaft for rotating the turret, andmechanism carried by the turret and interconnecting the said planetarygear system with said seaming mechanism for operating the seamingmechanism.

23. A seaming machine, comprising a stationary frame, a rotatableturret, seaming. mechanism carried by the turret, a main planetary gearsystem interconnecting the frame and the turret and operative forrotating the turret, and a planetary gear system carried by the turretand interconnecting the main planetary gear system with the seamingmechanism for operating the seaming mechanism.

24. A seaming machine comprising a stationary frame, a rotatable turret,a main drive shaft, seaming mechanism carried by the turret, a mainplanetary gear system interconnecting the frame, the turret and saidmain drive shaft and operative upon rotation of said shaft for rotatingthe turret, and a secondary planetary gear system carried by the turretand interconnecting the main planetary gear system with said seamingmechanism for operating the seaming mechanism.

25. A seaming machine comprising a stationary frame, a rotatable turret,a main drive shaft, seaming mechanism carried by the turret, a speedreduction planetary gear system interconnecting the frame, the turretand said main drive shaft and operative upon rotation of said shaft forrotating the turret, and a speed increasing planetary gear systemcarried by the turret and interconnecting the mentioned planetary gearsystem with said seaming mechanism for operating the seaming mechanism.

26. In a seaming machine a rotatable turret, a rotatable seaming headcarried by the turret,

mechanism for rotating the turret, and a planetary gear system carriedby the turret and including a sun gear, a planet gear and a ring. gear,the planet gear being connected to said mechanism and the sun gear beingconnected to said seaming head.

27. ha seaming. machine a rotatable turret, a rotatable seaming headincluding a revoluble roller and a revoluble actuating cam carried bythe turret, mechanism for rotating the turret, and a planetary gearsystem carried by the turret and interconnecting said mechanism withsaid seaming head for independently rotating the roller and cam of theseaming head by the operation of said mechanism.

28. In a seaming machine a rotatable turret, a rotatable seaming headincluding a revoluble roller and a revoluble actuating cam carried bythe turret, mechanism for rotating the turret,

and a planetary gear system carried bythe tur-' ret and interconnectingsaid mechanism with said seaming head for, differentially revolving theroller and actuating cam of said seaming head by the operation of saidmechanism.

29. In a seaming machine a rotatable turret, a rotatable seaming headincluding a revoluble roller and a revoluble actuating cam carried bythe turret, mechanism for rotating the turret, and a planetary gearsystem carried by the turret and including pairs of sun gears, planetgears and ring gears,- the pair of planet gears being connected to saidmechanism and the two sun gears being connected respectively to saidrevoluole roller and to said revoluble actuating cam.

30. In a seaming machine, a rotatable seaming head including a revolubleseaming roller and a revoluble actuating cam, a drive mechanism, and aplanetary gear system interconnecting said mechanism with said seaming.head for differentially revolving the roller and the actuating cam ofsaid seaming head.

31. In a seaming machine, a rotatable seaming head including a revolubleseamingroller and a revoluble actuating cam, a drive mechanism, and aplanetary gear system interconnecting said mechanism with said seaminghead for differentially revolving the roller and the actuating cam ofsaid seaming head, said planetary gear system comprising pairs of sungears, planet gears and ring. gears, the planet gears being connected tosaid mechanism and the sun gears to said roller and actuating cam.

32. A seaming station comprising means to support a can to be seamed, aseaming head including a rotatable seaming roller plate having fourseaming roller supports movably mounted thereon. alternate supportshaving first-operation seaming rollers, and the intermediate supportshaving second-operation seaming rollers, a rotatable cam having a singlecam groove receiving cam followers mounted on all four seaming. rollersupports, the cam followers being so related to the cam groove and saidcam groove being symmetrical and so designed as to move the. first andsecond-operation seaming rollers successively into and out of engagementwith the can in the course of a part revolution of the seaming rollerplate relative to the cam, and driving means to rotate the seamingroller plate and the cam at different relatively high speeds differingonly sufliciently to provide the desired part relative rotation in thecourse of a seaming operation.

ARTHUR G. HOPKINS.

